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Defining Duke, Episode 290: The Thread (Patreon)

Published:
2026-07-20 17:07:20
Imported:
2026-07

Content

Hey, all! It's time to submit your questions, comments, concerns, thoughts, and ideas for Episode 290 of Defining Duke.

Great ways to get your write-up used: Be pithy, be topical, and be insightful. Walls-of-text, posts littered with poor grammar and punctuation, etc., are promptly (though respectfully) ignored.

As this is an Xbox podcast, be sure your submission makes sense within that realm. You have until Wednesday, July 22nd at 3 PM ET to make your submission.

Comments

Raisin

Sup, Dukes! After hearing Matty talk about his sweet tooth on last week's episode of Defining Duke, I was wondering: Are you Team Chocolate Banana Bread, or are you Team Chocolate Zucchini Bread? Relatively speaking, Chocolate Banana Bread and Chocolate Zucchini Bread are healthier than other baked goods. Chocolate Banana Bread is a good source of potassium. Also, Chocolate Zucchini Bread is a good source of fiber. So, tell us, are you Team Chocolate Banana Bread, or are you Team Chocolate Zucchini Bread? Inquiring big backs must know.

empty_0

Howdy Dukes! Slow news week huh. It seems like Asha is putting belt to ass and we are actually getting some new Fallout games which I couldn't be more thrilled about. My question is this, with the emphasis on creation club and $10M distributed across creators, do you think 3 and NV remasters will support this? It was a huge missed opportunity with Oblivion remastered, and I think the lack of modability will severely reduce its staying power over the next decade. Will they let passive cash slip through their fingers again? Have a "Fallout New Orleans is a 2038 GOTY lock" kind of day

Waves

Whats up my Defined Dukes, more recent listener of the show here but a long time watcher of Matty’s videos. I’ve been PlayStation and PC for the longest time. With how Sony has been acting towards its hardcore it fueled my decision to get an Xbox Series X this past weekend. My question to you is what do you recommend for someone to play that has never had an Xbox before? I’ve already got two games which is Lost Odyssey and Blue Dragon but I’m curious of your picks.

DanXcel

Hey Dukes, Prediction time and gun to your head, do you think Obsidian’s Fallout will use CE3 or UE5? Unfortunately, my prediction is UE5 given their existing pipeline for Unreal Engine, which probably speeds up development time by a substantial amount. And we all know everything bows to the all-mighty dollar. However, even if it meant getting a new Fallout game a year earlier, I believe using UE5 for anything other than remasters would be a huge mistake. Creative Engine is absolutely integral to the core of Bethesda games, and given that Fallout 5 will be using it, it’s important to emphasize continuity with engines. Beyond continuity, Creative Engine offers a distinct look and feel, and is essential for modding. The UEficiation of video games is one of the worst things to happen to our industry this generation, and for Fallout to be another victim would be such a shame. If anyone from Obsidian is listening, please push for Creative Engine!

JP

Howdy Dukes, Matty aka Milo Thatch, great work on the recent Fallout videos but can we address the drip for a minute. Matty gets some hype Fallout news and all of a sudden Matty's moving different. To think how far we've come from the early high school age Matty to the infamous Genshin Impact/Reviewbrah pit stop, we've now fully entered the debonair Matty era looking like he's the main character on a deep sea, Atlantis expedition. Cog, did you know your boy had this in him? Thanks and have a "+1 perception" kind of day!

AJWhite

Duke boys! Listening to last episode, during the segment about the iD layoffs, Matty half sarcastically mentioned the idea that Asha coerced the studio into writing the "all good, nothing is changing" public message. Well, whether he was being sarcastic or not, BGS came out and posted their own. Rumor has it that Todd was gritting his teeth so hard while writing it, that it caused a 2.5 magnitude earthquake in the Rockville, MD area. All jokes aside, do we expect more consistent updates on projects from Xbox first party, specifically BGS, or do you think they'll go radio silent for another year? Thanks, and don't have a "Playstation really is a blind man in a field of rakes" kind of day

Papa Fridge

Hey Duke boys. Did Microsoft and Bethesda make an unforced error with the BGS announcements last week? Don’t get me wrong, I’m as excited as the next guy about hearing definitive information on ES and Fallout but I think this will just create more long waits like we already have with ES VI and will cause more communication issues for Team Green in the future. ES VI is likely still a couple years away. The Fallout 3 & NV remasters could come out in the next year or so, but without more could still be a bit off. And Fallout 5 and the Obsidian Fallout game are likely far off as well. So while the short term high is certainly amazing, I feel like Microsoft and Bethesda might regret this level of transparency in a few months when the dialogue shifts from “Where’s ES VI” to “Where is ES VI and all the other stuff you told me we’d get”. Just wanted to play Devils Advocate on the announcement. Perhaps the good out weigh the bad but in a world where Todd is hounded over ESVI and teams like Ghost Story have to field frustration over officially announcing their game way too early, I feel like they could’ve given fans something to be excited for without going full “open trenchcoat”. Thanks and have “Todd is afraid of the monster under his bed and that monster is Asha” kind of day.

J Reid

Dukes, How do we think this obsidian fallout news will effect #gothicgate? In other news i finally finished the gothic remake. Looking forward to the spoiler discussion with Matty and lock!

Hartford the Whale

Howdy Dukes, I hope everyone is well. So, with the layoffs one thing is bothering me. We are aware of those unfortunately let go, but the number soon to be relieved of duty seems too specific. Am I reading too much into this believing that as soon as Halo Campaign Evolved, Gears E-Day and Fable are released that many are going to be let go? How difficult would it be to be working at these studios knowing that as soon as the game is finished they may be let go. Tough times! Anyways, take care and of course go Penguins (Sorry Matty!)

Michael

I’ve been noticing an uptick in “Mmm”s lately. It used to be mainly Cog but now Matty is doing it a lot. And Matty, it seems to me, is sexualizing it. Just wanted to make you aware of this. Love the podcast otherwise.

Scott Barker

Hello Matty and Cog, I hope all is well. Long time listener, first time writer. I wanted to check your hype levels for Halo: Combat Evolved? I think it's disappointing that there is no multiplayer included, but I am looking forward to it nonetheless. Also, it dawned on me that it would have been cool had the Halo CE remake and the 25th anniversary console launch together in a bundle for a dual celebration. Have a remember to delete the Patreon thread kind of day and keep up the great work!

Ricaidius

Hail to the Dukes, with it raining Fallout projects left and right at Xbox apparently it’s got me thinking about the unfortunate layoffs at the Blackrock aka Obsidian. Yes they’re working on a fallout game, but in reality they should be the hammer on a massive Fallout push. This is a studio that as of earlier this year was pushing updates to the Pillars of Eternity series, with a sweeping new turn based mode. They have not only the 3D Fallout credentials but are the best positioned at Xbox to do isometric projects (besides InXile). It should be all hands on deck but instead 25% get cut. No new Isometric Fallout? Heck a slap port of the first 2 games to PS4, Xbox One, and Switch for maximum impact would do great probably. Have a “Asha’s here to save the brand and her first move is to send Gears out to die on the solid last place with no sales consoles” kinda day

Elliott

My brother in WITH arms Cog, and Wearing Glasses for the thirst clicks Matty-- when it comes to next-gen Xbox hardware, will we see any Xbox handheld to compete with the PS handheld, or will this fight be managed by Asus? Is the solution to the Xbox hardware pricing crisis to instead create a more iterative console? Annual updates like a phone, that lead to super users selling their old model more frequently. This increases the reseller inventory, helping to lower those costs as an entry point, and gives us whales (marks) a system that gets stronger and stronger. While I purchase all 3rd party games on Xbox, this year I will play GTA on PS Pro- the added power and PSSR now make significant game improvements; I've even regretted getting AC4 on Xbox compared to the PS enhancements.

Mr. Scott If You're Nasty

My dear old Dukes, I know this is an Xbox show, but with all the physical media talk lately and with Colin saying he thinks this movement will fail easily, I have to know. Matty, are you purchasing the new Wolverine game or are you joining your physical disc or no buy brethren? Have a where Colin was right ...or wrong kind of day!

Caleb Greer

Matty, Act like we ain’t see the fit on that video

thejjuan1

Hello Dukes. Matty, why in the hell are you comparing Pokemon to Palworld on your newest retro rebound vid? These games are nothing alike. The saying “This is the Pokemon game that fans want” feels so wrong to me. As a Pokemon fan, I don’t want to play a survival game with guns to shoot Pokemon at. I just want a Pokemon rpg game. I 100% agree with you that us Pokemon fans deserve better and don’t support the lawsuit against Pocketpair. But I’m sorry. Palworld is not it. I just don’t get the success of this game. It just feels like Pokemon haters are just championing the game while it’s mediocre at best. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is way better than that game. Especially once I got to the endgame and it’s fantastic DLC. Have a Pokeball is mighty than the gun kind of day.

WhyIsTommyHoldingThatSniperRifle

Hey Dukes, The talk of the town this week is undoubtedly Bethesda's suicide note. As a complete outsider who doesn't play any Bethesda games I find absolutely hysterical that it took like 10 years and someone like Asha to walk in and bitch slap Todd Howard and tell him stop being a fucking baby and make products. to sell. for money. It's even more hysterical that in the suicide note they threaten you with MORE Starfield DLC, absolute lunacy. I know you're happy Matty with more Fallout and Cog's happy to keep on humming so all jokes aside i guess good things all around for you Bethesda fans. Thanks and have a "the beatings (Starfield DLC) will continue until morale improves" kind of day.

BigDumbStupidIdiot

Howdy Beefy COG and Mr. "The Boy Who Lived" Matty, Are we giving up on Starfield too soon? It reached 17 million players in 3 years (PRETTY GOOD) and would have been wildly profitable if it wasn't cucked by Game Pass. Should Asha give Starfield the Bonnie Blue special and pass the IP around? See if the Black Rock can fit it in the rotation or if a COD studio wants to dip their toe into an RPG? Have a "I'm listening to Matty being objectively wrong about Pokemon while I'm on hour 10 of grinding for a marked shiny Feebas so I flex in Champions while running the most toxic Coil + Hypnosis Milotic set" kind of day!

ZakBlade

Hello Defining Dudes, While it's pretty clear that physical games don't sell as well as digital, I feel like people have been misrepresenting the statistics. Yes, digital games account for nearly 80% of all sales, but many games aren't sold physically at all. I don't know the exact number, but I wouldn't be surprised if more than half of games sold are digital only. This means either that digital only games don't sell well, or it means that games with a physical option have a much higher ratio of physical sales than just 20%. For example, if digital only games sell as well as games with a physical release, then games with a physical release must have a ratio of over 40% physical and 60% digital to compensate. And what games aren't digital only? Big games. AAA games. First party exclusive games. Circana recently posted that only 7 PS5 games sold more than 100k physical copies in the USA this year. While that sounds like a terrible statistic, it's worth noting that of the top 10 best selling games this year according to Circana, those 7 games are the only games available on PS5 in the top 10. The other 3 are Forza Horizon 6 (XBox exclusive) and Pokemon Pokopia and Tomodachi Life (Switch exclusives). So is this stat a dunk that most games aren't selling well physically, or is this a dunk that most games aren't selling well at all. Given the recent stats that over 50% of Sony's revenue comes from just 10 live service games and over 60% of gamers buy less than 3 new games in any given year, I'm starting to wonder if games in general aren't selling well. Like with everything else, the top 1% continues to see growth, while the bottom 99% continue fighting over the ever shrinking scraps left over. Sorry for writing a novel, but I was just worried that everyone was misinterpreting what little data is shared with us. Unfortunately, I don't know that my interpretation is right either, but I wanted to share another way of looking at the data we do have. Keep being the best gaming podcast!

Michael Buffill

Hey Dukes, How do you think Microsoft’s exclusive strategy would change if Halo Campaign Evolved makes significantly more revenue on PlayStation? Would it compel Xbox to dust off the PlayStation version of Gears E-Day if not enough revenue or new gamepass subs are gained? Thanks for all you guys do.

Elijah Kaiser

Hello from a new fan. Been watching Matty's content for a few months now and finally found my way over to all of last stand's podcasts. I've always been a gamer that has enjoyed having all the platforms. I would always start with one and then eventually work my way up to get all 3. I had a series x a few years ago along with my ps5. I had some financial trouble and had to sell my xbox. In a better place now and considering getting one again but debating if it's worth it. I don't have a pc so this would be my way to access exclusives. Paying $800 feels like a tremendous rip off but I see a decent amount of used ones go for around $400. Do you gentleman think that it's worth investing in the xbox ecosystem right now at a decent price? Thank you and love the conversations.

MJPGrass

Hey Dukes Since Gamepass is the reason for everyone's misfortunes in gaming (Xbox Devs Hate it Too) and before I listen to Colin dunk on it for the 100th time what is the next evolution of Gamepass? Here's my idea and then I'd like to see you guys take a crack at it: Gamepass should turn into what HBO used to be. Great movies (games) that came out 6 months ago in the theater premiering on a Saturday Night for the first time to celebrate them coming to the service and then your smaller indie games serving as the mini-series / specials that launch day and date. It would take some time to build it up and it doesn't always have to be a Microsoft game but something else. I'd be down for 12 AAA games a year in the service over 6+ months old and then small portion size games to fill in the space. What say you? I think it's too much as it is but keep the back catalog on it but moving forward if a game comes out I want to play I'll pay for it. Does this work? Maybe only 6 AAA games a year? You guys have a "Give Halo to ID for Christ Sakes" kind of day

BrinsleyLogic

Hey Dukes, I've gotta call y'all to the front of the congregation for some parasocial Health Is Wealth. Outside of a few IP I've never been a keen fan of XBOX (nee Xbox), but you guys keep me coming back every week. You inspire, you enlighten, but you also push back. You remain authentic and opinionated. Champions of not just staying on top of physical health but also mental wellbeing. I know y'all don't do well with the glow up but take it, it's deserved. Have a "23-seconds of silent, raw Matty joy on Bethesda news day" kinda day.

Hermen's March

It is Wednesday my Dukes, and I think it's time to address the elephant in the room. Adler's comment came off as entitled and ignorant. I won't act like parts of the community didn't treat the restructure harshly, but between their game writing, legal scandal, and public statements in the last few years, there's plenty to infer about their workplace culture. This friction they have with gamers (more than you're probably thinking) seems to be the result of certain ideologies that come pre-packaged with the institutional knowledge needed to make modern games. What changes need to happen when devs are more concerned with staying in a cultural consensus than striving for a creative vision, leaving your games stale or derivative? That's what Avowed and TOW2 felt like personally. As harsh as this may sound, the restructuring may be exactly what some of these studios need. I won't launder someone else's ideas as my own. I came upon this question in a YT video (shoutout to Peeb) just to be transparent. Gimme your thoughts gentlemen.

Davy Sueppel

What’s up Duke boys, On the last Episode Matty was saying how huge it would be if XBOX kept going with it physically media and how it’s likely they would do it. XBOX is going out of its way to allow its users to rip the license from it’s physical media and allow you to own it digitally… Now let’s think about this here. You take your physical media… and you turn it digitally. Does that sounds like a company that is going to keep discs around another generation? Or does that sound like a company preparing you for an all digital future because the next XBOX won’t have a disk drive but they warned you to swap all your old CD’s for the digital versions? Have a “I ripped all my Xbox games to my console and sold the blanks to GameStop.” Kind of day.

Adam Belgharbi

Hey Dukes, A few Dukes ago you mentioned "find a way" type games, where even if you're completely broke, you'll "find a way" to buy the game. What are some of your own? I personally just sold my car recently to upgrade my PC for Death Stranding 2 and I have no regrets. Have a "Hopefully Craig doesn't make a return in Campaign Evolved" kind of day...

Ya Boy T Nasty

Fallout remasters?? Yeah, yeah, big fucking deal. Did anyone even ask for this?? (Jk im extremely excited) anyway my question is : Galaxy News Radio, or Radio New Vegas? Three dog will always be the goat, but I love the twang of New Vegas. Thanks guys.

Klaw117

Hey Dukes, As Asha said and the Bethesda buffet proved last week, Xbox is doubling down on its core franchises. However, will Xbox fall into the trap of franchise fatigue? We already didn't like the "more Halo, Forza, Gears" era, but a cynical read of the current situation could be that Xbox is going back in that direction, just with Doom, Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and Quake thrown in. Seven core franchises is certainly better than three, but how much room will studios have to build new IP in this cost-cutting era? Despite all of Phil's faults, he still let studios experiment with new ideas (though sadly, it seems only Obsidian's new IPs have any real potential). Will Asha be able to find a good midpoint between delivering on core franchises while still building new IP? Have a...I'm sorry, I think Matty in glasses just awoke something within me...kind of day!

Squint Eastwood

Hey Dukes, This is a kind of Health Is Wealth / News crossover. In a recent interview, Cliff Bleszinski opened up about his struggle with alcoholism and how it contributed to, and then was exacerbated by, his decline in the video game industry. I know all too well how crippling the addiction can be and how helpless it can feel when you're trying to get out of the cycle. I spent a while trying to think of some question to pose to you guys, but honestly, nothing really felt appropriate. So instead, I'd just like to give a shoutout to Cliff on 4 months sober. That's a huge accomplishment that he should be immensely proud of. While Cliff has a reputation for being... a lot, he created one of the franchises nearest and dearest to the Xbox community and that alone deserves respect. I for one hope that Cliff's newfound clarity will lead to new and unforgettable moments in video games yet to come. To everyone in the LSM community struggling with alcohol or any addiction, know you're not alone. Every day is a new opportunity to start anew. I'm rooting for you all.

Captain Hero

Dear Dukesters, So, the rumor is that the next id game is going to be Doom. This sounds absolutely nuts to me. Yes, we all LOVE Doom, but the series clearly needs a break. And why work on Doom when Quake is gagging for a revival. Personally, I would love to see a 'reboot' of the first Quake, similar to Doom 2016, but it sounds like that idea is DOOMed, and they might not be going that direction (sad). Quake's identity is not as clear cut as Doom's, which could give them more creative freedom for reinvention. The first Quake game was quasi medieval, whereas the follow on games were more sci-fi cybernetic in style. I found the Quake sequels too aesthetically similar to Doom. How would you approach a Quake remake? On the Doom front: What do you think they can go with Doom at this point? We've had 'traditional' Doom, 'acrobatic' doom and 'tank with a shield' doom. What would you personally want to see? Keep up the great work chaps. Hugs. Have a 'you can't always get what you want' kind of day, CaptainHero

Daniel Ross

Hey Cool-head Cognito and Red Raw Matty, Cog! Can you finally share your thoughts on Campaign Evolved? What has been the most immediate noticeable change in this remake? Have a 'Forward unto Dawn' kind of day.

DextrousJOE

Matty Ice and Lord Cog! With BGS revealing the current state for all planned content in the coming years. I hope we can put some respect on the ONLY publisher purchase that has brought Xbox the notoriety and brand zeitgeist they have so desperately been after. For all their faults in the mid 2010s when the live service push came for everyone, Zenimax still produced two products that have continued to see growth ESO and good ole 76. For any IP to have 17 million players even if they bought GP for a month, it is still one heck of an achievement. I hope you both still remember that Starfield theme as it approaches 1 billion hours of playtime! Glad that even with the extensive gutting of Xbox they still understand that Zenimax/BGS remain the golden goose. Take care and have a Nuka Cola on me!

Walk Forward Cutscene

Hey Dukes, Have you guys played the expansion for DOOM:TDA yet? It's amazing, more challenging than the base game, and much closer to Eternal once you get the spear. Please don't let the layoffs at id software put you off of some of the best gameplay since Doom Eternal.

Chaise

Yo my beloved Dukes! This doesn’t really have much to do with Xbox but I still think it’s relevant and very important. Why are all these sites running with intentionally vague and cherry picked stats to do damage control for PlayStation? Going out of their way to paint a narrative that will give these big corporations even more power while the paying customers have less? I’m not trying to put on a tin foil hat or anything, but even a practical person like myself has to raise their eyebrows and wonder. Again love my Dukes, take care!

Brandyn

Hey Dukes, long time listener of the pod, first time write in. Been watching Matty since the survivor 2299 days and recently been checking out the iron lords podcast to see what our boy Cog also does. With the recent slew of fallout announcements finally giving us a roadmap for the franchise, there is 1 thing that I feel the series does still need. Matty has touched on this in his recent fallout videos covering these announcements, but the series roots of being an isometric CRPG do need a refresh and reintroduction with a new, modern title. I think in a post Baldur’s Gate 3 world Xbox could potentially see a way for it to be a big hit as well. What my mind has began to wonder then is, who would do this hypothetical modern isometric fallout game? In the new world of more Xbox studios collaboration, a specific internal team up comes to mind. With so much fallout history at both Obsidian and InXile, and both having modern isometric style experience, having them team up to create this modern fallout isometric game feels like a dream pairing. In this instance I’d imagine it would have to wait until both Clockwork Revolution and the obsidian Fallout game are out close to out the door for this to take shape. Other outside devs that would be incredible would be Larian or Owlcat. Are there any other devs you can think of that would make a great pairing for the fallout license and what do you think of these hypotheticals? Have a please let the KOTOR Remake ACTUALLY release kind of day